You can pay FBR income tax online in Pakistan completely from home, without visiting any office or bank branch. The whole process has two parts: generate a Payment Slip ID (PSID) on the IRIS 2.0 portal, then pay that PSID using JazzCash, Easypaisa, internet banking, or an ATM. This guide walks you through every step, with real app names, menu paths, fees in PKR, and fixes for common problems.
What You Need Before You Start
Keep these things ready before you open any website or app:
- CNIC number (your 13-digit national ID, no dashes)
- IRIS 2.0 login password (set when you first registered)
- Salary certificate from your employer (salaried persons)
- Bank statements and a list of your assets and liabilities
- Active mobile number registered with NADRA (for OTPs)
- JazzCash, Easypaisa, or internet banking app installed and active
For individuals, your CNIC number is also your NTN (National Tax Number), so you do not need a separate NTN card.
How to Pay FBR Income Tax Online: Full Step-by-Step Guide
Phase 1: Register or Log In to IRIS 2.0
Step 1. Open your browser and go to iris.fbr.gov.pk. This is the official IRIS 2.0 portal, FBR’s sole platform for all income tax tasks in Pakistan.
Step 2 (First time only). Click “Registration for Unregistered Person” on the homepage. Enter your CNIC and the on-screen captcha, then click Submit. A PIN will be sent to your NADRA-registered mobile number. Enter the PIN, fill in your name, address, email and income source, then create a password. Your account and NTN are created instantly.
Step 3 (Returning users). Click “Taxpayer Login”. Enter your CNIC (without dashes) as the username, then your IRIS password.
Phase 2: Fill In Your Income Tax Return
Step 4. After logging in, find the left-side panel. Click “Declaration”, then click “Income Tax Return”.
Step 5. Select the correct tax year. Tax Year 2026 covers income earned from July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026. Pick the right year from the dropdown before filling anything in.
Step 6. Fill in your income details. If you are salaried, enter your gross salary using the figures from your employer’s salary certificate. Add any other income such as rental income, profit on savings, or freelancing income. For freelancers earning from platforms like Upwork or Fiverr, log this under “foreign income” and attach your bank remittance certificate.
Step 7. Add your deductions and tax credits. These can include provident fund contributions, life insurance premiums, and education expenses.
Step 8. Complete the Wealth Statement. List all your assets (property, vehicles, cash, gold) and liabilities (loans). IRIS will not accept your return without a completed wealth statement, so do not skip this section. If your total assets exceed PKR 10 million, you must fill Form 116 as well.
Step 9. Review everything carefully. IRIS will automatically calculate your tax based on current slabs. Mistakes in this step can lead to notices or penalties later, so double-check all figures before moving on.
Phase 3: Generate Your PSID (Payment Slip ID)
Step 10. If your return shows tax payable, you need to generate a PSID. In IRIS, go to the “e-Payments” tab. Click “Create Payment”, then select “Income Tax Annual Return”. Fill in your NTN/CNIC, select the payment type, enter the amount, and confirm. The system will generate your PSID, which is a unique 17-digit number used to pay your tax through any channel.
You can also generate a PSID directly at iris.fbr.gov.pk/payment without going through the full return, which is useful for advance tax or ATL surcharge payments.
Phase 4: Pay Your PSID (Choose One Method)
Method A: Pay via JazzCash App
- Open the JazzCash app and log in with your mobile number and MPIN.
- Tap “Bill Payments” from the main menu.
- Select “Government / FBR / PSID”.
- Enter your 17-digit PSID number carefully.
- Review the amount and details shown on screen.
- Enter your MPIN and confirm the payment.
- Save or screenshot the confirmation receipt.
Method B: Pay via Easypaisa App
- Open the Easypaisa app and log in.
- Tap “Bill Payments” or look under the payments section.
- Choose the FBR / PSID payment option from the list.
- Enter your 17-digit PSID number.
- Verify all information on the confirmation screen.
- Tap Confirm, enter your Easypaisa PIN, and submit.
- Save the receipt. You will also get an SMS confirmation.
Method C: Pay via Internet Banking (Meezan, HBL, MCB, UBL, ABL, NBP)
- Log in to your bank’s mobile app or internet banking portal.
- Go to Bill Payments or Tax / Government Payments.
- Look for an FBR / PSID option.
- Enter your 17-digit PSID and confirm the amount.
- Authorize the payment and save the digital receipt.
Method D: Pay Over the Counter at NBP or SBP
If you prefer to pay in cash, print your PSID slip from IRIS and take it to any branch of the National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) or the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP). Hand the slip to the teller and pay in cash. This is also a valid official method if you need a physical paper trail.
Phase 5: Submit Your Return and Download the Receipt
Step 11. After your payment is confirmed, go back to IRIS. Submit your income tax return by clicking the Submit button on your return form.
Step 12. Download your Acknowledgement Slip as proof of filing. Also check your IRIS account ledger for the Computerized Payment Receipt (CPR), which is your legal proof that the tax has been paid.
Step 13. Check your ATL status at fbr.gov.pk after 24 to 72 hours. Once you appear on the Active Taxpayer List, you will enjoy lower withholding tax rates on bank transactions, property, and vehicle registrations.
Using the Tax Asaan Mobile App Instead
If the IRIS website feels slow or confusing, use the Tax Asaan app, available on both Google Play Store and Apple App Store. It is FBR’s official mobile app. The app offers a wizard-based income tax return filing flow for salaried and normal filers, plus built-in e-payment so you can generate and pay a PSID directly inside the app without needing a separate banking app. It also lets you check your ATL status, verify your profile, and see withholding deductions made by others on your behalf.
Fees and Key Deadlines in PKR
| Item | Cost / Date |
|---|---|
| Filing via IRIS portal | Free |
| Filing via Tax Asaan app (salaried) | Free |
| ATL surcharge (if filed late, individuals) | PKR 1,000 |
| ATL surcharge (AOPs / partnership firms) | PKR 50,000 |
| ATL surcharge (registered companies) | PKR 100,000 |
| Late filing penalty (individuals) | PKR 1,000 per day (min PKR 10,000) |
| Income tax return deadline (Tax Year 2026) | September 30, 2026 |
| Professional tax agent fee (market range) | From PKR 5,000 per return |
Always check fbr.gov.pk for any official deadline extensions, as FBR has extended the deadline in some past years.
Common Problems and How to Fix Them
Problem: OTP not received on my phone
Make sure your mobile number is active and registered with NADRA. If the OTP still does not arrive, try using the Tax Asaan app as an alternative login method. Also check that you have not blocked shortcode SMS on your SIM.
Problem: Return submission gives a validation error
This almost always means there is a mismatch in your wealth statement. Check that your opening and closing asset balances are correct and match each other properly. Also make sure all mandatory fields in the return form are filled.
Problem: Payment not showing in IRIS after paying PSID
PSID payments normally reflect within one business day. Wait at least 24 to 48 hours. If it still does not show, call the FBR helpline at 051-111-772-772 (Monday to Friday, business hours) with your CPR number ready. You can also email helpline@fbr.gov.pk.
Problem: ATL status not updated after filing
Allow up to 72 hours after successful return submission. If your status has still not updated after that, contact the Regional Tax Office (RTO) for your city, such as RTO Karachi, RTO Lahore, or RTO Islamabad.
Problem: IRIS portal is slow or not loading
Clear your browser cache and switch to Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge. Avoid using the portal between 12pm and 3pm PKT, as those are peak hours when the server is most busy. Disable any VPN if you have one running.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay FBR income tax online without a bank account?
Yes. You can pay your PSID using an Easypaisa or JazzCash wallet even if you do not have a traditional bank account. Simply generate the PSID on IRIS, then use the mobile wallet app to pay it under the Government or FBR payments section.
What is a PSID and where do I find it?
A PSID (Payment Slip ID) is a unique 17-digit number generated by the FBR IRIS system for each payment. You generate it inside IRIS under the e-Payments section, or through the Tax Asaan app. You then use this number to pay through any supported channel such as JazzCash, Easypaisa, or a bank app.
Is it mandatory to file a return even if my employer already deducts tax from my salary?
Yes. Even if your employer deducts income tax at source every month, you still need to file your annual return on IRIS yourself. Collect your salary certificate from your employer, log in to IRIS, select the correct return form, and enter the figures. Filing a return is what gets you onto the Active Taxpayer List (ATL) and gives you lower withholding tax rates.
What happens if I miss the September 30 deadline?
Missing the deadline means you will be charged a late filing penalty of PKR 1,000 per day, with a minimum of PKR 10,000. You will also need to pay an ATL surcharge of PKR 1,000 (for individuals) before your name is added back to the Active Taxpayer List. On top of that, persistent non-filers can face SIM card blocking by NADRA and PTA. Filing a nil return costs nothing, so always file on time even if your income is below the taxable limit.
